Managing wireless data just became easier for businesses

For many businesses, efficient management of wireless data can be the difference between effectively serving a client and missing a sale.

From the real estate firm that has 20 brokers on the road using mobile devices to send directions and photos to clients, to the car service that monitors its fleet at multiple locations, to the business owner who uses 500 tablets across their retail stores to highlight new products, wireless data management is a bottom line necessity.

While smartphones and tablets are powerful tools for business, until now, reconciling the expenses and payments for numerous lines could be time consuming.

To simplify the data management process for business, Verizon Wireless will become the first carrier to offer shared data plans for business with the Jan. 24 debut of Share Everythingsm Plan for Small Business, and the Nationwide for Business Data Packages and Plans.

The Share Everything Plan for Small Business gives companies up to 25 lines of unlimited minutes, texts, picture and video messages with a shareable allowance of 30 GB ($225), 40 GB ($300) and 50 GB ($375), plus the monthly per line access cost based on the type of device activated. Additional options for the business customer include data only plans and for those who conduct business with our neighboring countries, a calling plan with minutes to Canada and Mexico.

New and existing customers can choose to move to these plans and add any 4G LTE smartphone, tablet, Jetpacks, netbooks, laptops, 4G LTE USBs, basic/feature phones, Home Phone Connect and other 3G or 4G LTE enabled devices to share the data allowance on their account.

Additional benefits of Share Everything for Small Business include: Mobile Hotspot/Mobile Broadband Connect included at no additional charge on all capable devices. Users can connect their devices and share the connections with others through Wi-Fi, with that data counting towards the monthly allowance. With communications a high priority, personal and corporate email, using Exchange ActiveSync and Lotus Notes Traveler are included on all capable devices.

Verizon offers free usage alerts which are sent at 50 percent, 75 percent, 90 percent, and 100 percent of monthly shared data allowance to ensure a company does not exceed their selected allotment.

For companies with more than 25 lines, Verizon Wireless introduces shareable data packages and plans that are compatible with their existing Nationwide for Business Talk and Talk & Text share plans. For larger business customers with more complex data needs, this solution offers customizable voice and data allowances with each line contributing minutes and data to a pool shared by all lines and devices, with no limit on the number of devices.

The Nationwide for Business Data Packages and Plans also includes Mobile Hotspot and Mobile Broadband Connect and Corporate email via Exchange ActiveSync at no additional cost.

Nationwide for Business offers shareable data starting at $30 for 2 GB per smartphone or tablet and $50 for 5 GB per Jetpack or USB modem. A larger $80 for 10 GB package is also available for heavy data users. Basic phones can share data starting at $20 for 300 MB per device. Nationwide for Business Data Packages and Plans allow a business of any size to create their own shareable data allowance with the simplicity of managing a single account.

Existing business customers who are comfortable with their current price plans do not need to change to the new shared data options.

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